An axe-like item designed for throwing. While some larger tomahawk types would be fit for melee, this one sacrifices melee ability to make it smaller, handier and to optimize its ballistic properties.

Tomahawks are a form of Throwing weapon, directly between stones and javelins in terms of power. Although somewhat less powerful than javelins, they can be thrown by all characters regardless of size, and are still capable of inflicting decent damage.

Tomahawks have a mulch rate of 5%, meaning there is a 1-in-20 chance that they will be destroyed each time the player throws them. Tomahawks branded with exploding or dispersal will always be destroyed on hit.

Strategy

Characters should pick these up without fail on the first few floors. Having a source of ranged damage output, even an unreliable one, can make a big difference. Softening up inescapable adders before engaging them in melee can greatly improve a level 1 or 2 characters' chance of survival. That being said, ogres and gnolls may still be worth running from - your tomahawks might soften them up first, but it doesn't take many hits from a halberd or giant spiked club to take out weak adventurers.

Dispersal tomahawks can be very handy for situations where you need an opponent to back off, but remember that you need to deal damage for the brand to trigger. Characters with no Throwing skill may have trouble doing so against enemies with decent AC.

Common

Magical

Silver

Steel

History

Tomahawks were added in 0.14, compensating for the fact that smaller melee weapons (such as hand axes and spears) were no longer throwable. Smaller species whose backgrounds would normally start with javelins (such as Hunters) were instead given the option of starting with tomahawks.